Transverse connector

ABSTRACT

A transverse connector for a spinal column corrective device for interconnecting two components connectable with vertebrae of a spinal column includes a first member having a body portion and a connector portion extending from the body portion, the connector portion including an opening for receiving the first component, a second member having a body portion and a connector portion extending from the body portion, the connector portion including an opening for receiving the second component, and a clamp extending between the first and second member body portions, the clamp being movable into a tightened position to lock the first and second members into position relative to one another, and a loosened position to permit adjustment of the position of the first and second members relative to one another. The first and second member body portions having mating retaining surfaces to prevent relative movement between the first and second members when the clamp is in the tightened position.

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/490,664 filed Jan. 24, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,108entitled Transverse Connector, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to connectors forinterconnecting components of a spinal column corrective device such aslongitudinal members, hooks, and/or pedicle screws, and moreparticularly to a cross-link or transverse connector which is adjustablelongitudinally to accommodate a variety of spacings between suchcomponents.

Longitudinal members of spinal column corrective devices generallyextend longitudinally along the spinal column. Each longitudinal member,which may consist of a rod or a plate, for example, is typicallyattached to the spinal column with hooks or pedicle screws which areconnected to the longitudinal member. The longitudinal members may beconnected together using transverse connectors. Each transverseconnector forms a bridge between two longitudinal members to strengthenthe overall structure of the spinal column corrective device and providea desired spacing between longitudinal members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a transverse connector for interconnectingcomponents of a spinal column corrective device, for example, a pair oflongitudinal members which are connected to vertebrae of a spinalcolumn. As is further explained below, the present invention might bereadily adapted to interconnect a longitudinal member and a pediclescrew, a pair of screws, a longitudinal member and a hook, a pair ofhooks, or a pedicle screw and a hook. One embodiment of the presenttransverse connector generally includes a first member which isadjustably connected to a second member to provide a plurality ofselectable spacings between the longitudinal members. The first memberincludes a body portion having retaining surfaces for engaging similarretaining surfaces on the body portion of the second member, anintermediate portion extending from the body portion having an openingfor receiving a clamp or set screw, and a connector portion extendingfrom the intermediate portion for engaging the longitudinal member. Whenthe set screw is turned into the intermediate portion opening, it clampsa first longitudinal member within the first member connector portion.The second member also includes an intermediate portion extending fromthe body portion having an opening for receiving a clamp or set screw,and a connector portion extending from the intermediate portion forengaging a second longitudinal member. When the set screw is turned intothe intermediate portion opening, it clamps the second longitudinalmember within the second member connector portion.

The first and second members are connected to one another by a clampsuch that when the clamp is in a tightened position, the retainingsurfaces of the first and second member engage one another to lock themembers in position relative to one another, thereby fixing the distancebetween the longitudinal members. When the clamp is in a loosenedposition, the first and second members may remain connected to oneanother while the retaining surfaces are spaced apart from one another,and the members are adjusted longitudinally relative to one another to adifferent position. During adjustment, guides extending from the bodyportion of the scond member maintain the first and second members inalignment.

The transverse connector of the present invention may be attached to thelongitudinal members of a spinal column corrective device after thelongitudinal members have been fastened to the vertebrae of the spinalcolumn. The clamp of the present invention is loosened so that the firstand second members may be adjusted relative to one anotherlongitudinally. The members are adjusted until the distance between thetwo connector portions roughly corresponds to the distance between thelongitudinal members. The set screws are backed out of their respectiveopenings. The connector portions are then placed into engagement withthe longitudinal members, and the set screws are turned into theirrespective openings to engage the longitudinal members and clamp thelongitudinal members against the connector portions. The distancebetween the longitudinal members may be adjusted, if desired, asdescribed above. Once a desired spacing is achieved, the clamp istightened to lock the first and second members in position relative toone another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the invention will become moreapparent and the invention will be better understood upon considerationof the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially fragmented, top plan view of one embodiment of thetransverse connector of the present invention interconnecting a pair oflongitudinal members which are connected to a spinal column.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the transverse connector ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the transverse connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the transverse connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the transverse connector of FIG. 1taken substantially along line 5—5.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of thetransverse connector of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the transverse connector of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of thetransverse connector of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the second member of thetransverse connector of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the second member taken along thelines 10—10 of FIG. 9 as viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector portion of stillanother embodiment of the transverse connector of the present inventionwith a first longitudinal member positioned within the connectorportion.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing a second longitudinalmember positioned within the connector portion of the transverseconnector of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, theembodiments selected for description are described to permit thoseskilled in the art to utilize their teachings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a spinal column corrective device may includelongitudinal members 10A and 10B (shown as rods which extendlongitudinally, substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A of thespinal column S. Longitudinal member 10A is connected to vertebra VA byan attachment device 12A which may include a hook or a clamp and screwconnector as are known in the art. Similarly, longitudinal member 10B isconnected to vertebra VB by attachment device 12B in a manner known bythose skilled in the art. One embodiment of a transverse connector 14 ofthe present invention is shown connected to and extending betweenlongitudinal members 10A, 10B.

Transverse member 14 generally includes a first member 100 whichconnects to longitudinal member 10A, and a second member 200 whichconnects to longitudinal member 12B. First member 100 and second member200 are connected to one another using a clamp 300. Transverse connector14 extends along a longitudinal axis B which may be substantiallyperpendicular to longitudinal members 10A, 10B.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, first member 100 generally includesa body portion 110, an intermediate portion 130, a connector portion150, and a clamp or set screw 180 which clamps longitudinal member 10Aagainst connector portion 150. Body portion 110 includes an end wall112, a pair of sidewalls 114, 116, a bottom wall 118, and a top wall120. Top wall 120 includes a flat section 121 and a plurality ofretaining surfaces 122. In one embodiment of the invention, retainingsurfaces 122 include a plurality of parallel ridges, each having atriangular cross-section and extending perpendicularly between sidewalls114, 116. As will be further explained below, the shape, number, andorientation of retaining surfaces 122 may be varied substantially fromthe embodiment shown. An opening 124 extends between top wall 120 andbottom wall 118 through retaining surfaces 122. In one embodiment of theinvention, the opening is a bore which extends along an axis parallel tosidewalls 114,116 and has a threaded inner surface 126.

Intermediate portion 130 of first member 100 is integral with bodyportion 110 and extends therefrom to form a substantially cylindricalstructure having an opening 132 therethrough. As best shown in FIG. 4,intermediate portion 130 and opening 132 are substantially centered onan axis C which is at an acute angle relative to longitudinal axis B.Intermediate portion 130 includes a curved sidewall 134 which extendsfrom sidewall 114 of body portion 110, a curved sidewall 136 whichextends from sidewall 116, and a top wall 138 which extends from flatsection 121 of body portion 110. As best shown in FIG. 3, intermediateportion 130 also includes a bottom wall 140 which extends from bottomwall 118 of body portion 110 to form a flat 142 on the generallycylindrical shape of intermediate portion 130. Bottom wall 140 alsoincludes a pair of curved segments 144, 146 which are substantiallyperpendicular to flat 142 and parallel to top wall 138 of intermediateportion 130. Opening 132 extends between top wall 138 and bottom wall140 of intermediate portion 130 to form a bore with a threaded innersurface 148 (FIG. 5).

As best seen in FIG. 3, intermediate portion 130 includes a diameter Dwhich is greater than the distance between sidewalls 114, 116 of bodyportion 110. This increased diameter permits use of a larger set screw180 for connecting first member 100 to longitudinal member 10A, asdescribed in greater detail below.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 through 5, first member 100 further includesa connector portion 150. In one embodiment of the invention, connectorportion 150 extends from intermediate portion 130 to form a widenedhook. Connector portion 150 includes a first segment 152 which lies in aplane substantially parallel to a plane extending through body portion110 (as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5), a curved segment 159, and a tip segment166. First segment 152 includes a pair of sidewalls 154, 156 whichextend from curved sidewalls 134, 136 of intermediate portion 130,respectively, and a top wall 158 which extends from top wall 138 ofintermediate portion 130 and lies in a plane substantially parallel tothe plane of top wall 120 of body portion 110. As best seen in FIGS. 1and 3, the distance between sidewalls 154, 156 of first segment 152 isless than diameter D of intermediate portion 130, and substantially thesame as the distance between sidewalls 114, 116 of body portion 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, curved segment 159 extends from firstsegment 152 in a curved manner downwardly adjacent a plane includingbottom wall 118 of body portion 110. Curved segment 159 includes acurved outer wall 160 which extends from top wall 158 of first segment152. Curved segment 159 also includes a pair of sidewalls 162, 164 whichextend from sidewalls 154, 156 of first segment 152, respectively.

Tip segment 166 extends from curved segment 159 and includes asubstantially flat bottom wall 168 which extends from curved outer wall160 of curved segment 159, a curved end wall 169, and a pair ofsidewalls 170, 172.

A curved engaging surface 174 is formed on the inside surface of firstsegment 152, curved segment 159, and tip segment 166 of connectorportion 150. In one embodiment of the invention, engaging surface 174has a constant radius which corresponds to the outer surface oflongitudinal member 10A.

Set screw 180 includes a body 182 having threads 184, a drive recess186, and a conical end surface 188. In the embodiment shown, threads 184are formed to correspond to threaded inner surface 148 of opening 132.Additionally, drive recess 186 is shown as a hexagonal cavity forreceiving an Allen wrench. Obviously, drive recesses 186 of variousshapes, such as a slot, intersecting slots, or recesses of other shapes,may be incorporated into set screw 180 for turning the screw into andbacking the screw out of opening 132 of intermediate portion 130.

Second member 200 generally includes a body portion 210, an intermediateportion 230, a connector portion 250, and a clamp or set screw 280 whichclamps longitudinal member 10B against connector portion 250. Bodyportion 210 includes an end wall 212, a pair of sidewalls 214, 216, abottom wall 218, and a top wall 220. The width of body portion 210 (asmeasured between sidewalls 214, 216) is substantially the same as thewidth of body portion 110 of first member 100. Body portion 210 furtherincludes an adjustment opening 224 which extends between top wall 220and bottom wall 218 and forms an elongated slot centered substantiallyon longitudinal axis B when first and second members are assembled.

Bottom wall 218 includes a flat portion 221 and plurality of retainingsurfaces 222. In one embodiment of the invention, retaining surfaces 222include a plurality of parallel ridges, each having a triangularcross-section and extending perpendicularly between sidewalls 214, 216.As best shown in FIG. 4, retaining surfaces 222 of bottom wall 218engage retaining surfaces 122 of first member 110 when clamp 300 is usedto attach first member 100 to second member 200. The engagement betweenthe retaining surfaces prevents movement of the first member 100 andsecond member 200 relative to one another along the longitudinal axis Bof the transverse connector 14. Rotational movement about clamp 300 isalso prevented by retaining surfaces 122, 222. Obviously, matchingretaining surfaces having a variety of cross-sectional shapes, forexample, rectangular or curved, may readily be employed to preventmovement between first member 100 and second member 200. Additionally,retaining surfaces 122, 222 need not extend the entire widths of firstmember 100 and second member 200, respectively. As should be apparentfrom the foregoing, the number and spacing of retaining surfaces 122,222 determines the number and spacing of selectable relative positionsof first member 100 and second member 200 within the adjustment rangeprovided by adjustment opening 224 of second member 200. Fewer retainingsurfaces 122, 222 may be employed if fewer selectable positions aredesired. Conversely, a larger number of more closely spaced retainingsurfaces 122, 222 may be employed to provide a greater number ofselectable positions within which transverse member 14 may be locked.

A pair of guides 226, 228 are attached to or integral with sidewalls214, 216, respectively, of second member 200. Each guide 226, 228 issubstantially rectangular and extends downwardly as viewed in FIG. 4 tooverlap a respective sidewall 114, 116 of first member 100 whentransverse connector 14 is assembled. Each guide 226, 228 includes anupper surface 223A which is planar with top wall 220, a lower surface223B which is parallel to upper surface 223A, a pair of end surfaces223C, 223D, an outer surface 223E, and an inner surface 223F. As shownin FIG. 3, the distance between inner surfaces 223F of guides 226, 228is slightly greater than the distance between sidewalls 114, 116 offirst body portion 100. As such, when clamp 300 is loosened and firstmember 100 is spaced apart from second member 200 such that retainingsurfaces 122 do not engage retaining surfaces 222, the first and secondmembers may be moved longitudinally relative to one another, yet remainin alignment on axis B because guides 226, 228 engage sidewalls 114, 116of first member 100 to maintain such alignment. As will be furtherdiscussed below, the position of clamp 300 within adjustment opening 224shifts as the first and second members are moved relative to oneanother.

Intermediate portion 230 of second member 200 is integral with bodyportion 210 and extends therefrom to form a substantially cylindricalstructure having an opening 232 therethrough. Intermediate portion 230and opening 232 are substantially centered on an axis E which is at anacute angle relative to longitudinal axis B. Intermediate portion 230includes a first curved sidewall 234 which extends from sidewall 214 ofbody portion 210, a second curved sidewall 236 which extends fromsidewall 216, a top wall 238 which is planar with and extends from topwall 220, and a bottom wall 240 which extends from flat portion 221 ofbottom wall 218 to form a flat 242 on the generally cylindrical shape ofintermediate portion 230 as best shown in FIG. 3. Bottom wall 240 ofintermediate portion 230 also includes a pair of curved segments 244,246 which are substantially perpendicular to flat 242 and lie in a planeperpendicular to axis E of intermediate portion 230.

Opening 232 extends between top wall 238 and bottom wall 240 ofintermediate portion 230 to form a bore having an inner surface 248(FIG. 5). Inner surface 248 includes a smooth portion 248A and athreaded portion 248B. As best seen in FIG. 3, intermediate portion 230includes a diameter F which is greater than the distance betweensidewalls 214, 216 of body portion 210. This increased diameter permitsthe use of a larger set screw 280 for connecting second member 200 tolongitudinal member 10B, as described in greater detail below.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 through 5, second member 200 further includesa connector portion 250. In one embodiment of the invention, connectorportion 250 extends from intermediate portion 230 to form a widenedhook. Connector portion 250 includes a first segment 252 which issubstantially planar with body portion 210 (as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5), acurved segment 259, and a tip segment 266. First segment 252 includes apair of sidewalls 254, 256 which extend from sidewalls 234, 236 ofintermediate portion 230, respectively, and a top wall 258 which extendsfrom and is planar with top wall 238 of intermediate portion 230. Asbest seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the distance between sidewalls 254, 256 offirst segment 252 is less than the diameter of intermediate portion 230,and substantially the same as the distance between sidewalls 214, 216 ofbody portion 210.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, curved segment 259 extends from firstsegment 252 in a curved manner downwardly away from top wall 258. Curvedsegment 259 includes a curved outer wall 260 which extends from top wall258. Curved segment 259 also includes a pair of sidewalls 262, 264 whichextend from and lie in substantially the same plane as sidewalls 254,256 of first segment 252.

Tip segment 266 extends from curved segment 259 and includes asubstantially flat bottom wall 268 which extends from curved outer wall260 of curved segment 259, a curved end wall 269, and a pair ofsidewalls 270, 272.

A curved engaging surface 274 is formed on the inside surface of firstsegment 252, curved segment 259, and tip segment 266 of connectorportion 250. In one embodiment of the invention, engaging surface 274has a constant radius which corresponds to the outer surface oflongitudinal member 10B.

Set screw 280 includes a body 282 having threads 284, a drive recess286, and a conical end surface 288. In the embodiment shown, threads 284are formed to correspond to threaded inner surface 248B of opening 232.Additionally, drive recess 286 is shown as a hexagonal cavity forreceiving an Allen wrench. Obviously, drive recesses 286 of variousshapes, such as a slot, intersecting slots, or recesses of other shapes,may be incorporated into set screw 280 for turning the screw into andbacking the screw out of opening 232 of intermediate portion 230.

Transverse connector 14 also includes a clamp 300 which, in oneembodiment of the invention, is a screw including a head 302 and a body304. Head 302 includes a drive recess 306 which is shown as a hexagonalopening for receiving an Allen wrench. Of course, various other driverecess configurations may be employed. Body 304 includes threads 308sized to mate with threads 126 of opening 124 formed in first member100. The outer diameter of threads 308 is slightly less than the innerdiameter of adjustment opening 224 formed in second member 200.Accordingly, clamp 300 may be inserted through adjustment opening 224and turned into opening 124 of first member 100. When clamp 300 istightened into opening 124, head 302 engages top wall 220 of bodyportion 210 to urge retaining surfaces 222 into engagement withretaining surfaces 122 of body portion 110. As such, when clamp 300 isin a tightened position, first member 100 and second member 200 arelocked into position relative to one another as explained above.

In operation, traverse member 14 is connected to longitudinal members10A, 10B by backing set screws 180, 280 out of openings 132, 232 suchthat conical end surfaces 188, 288 are sufficiently spaced from engagingsurfaces 174, 274 to form gaps 190, 290 large enough to receivelongitudinal members 10A, 10B. Connector portions 150, 250 are placedonto longitudinal members 10A, 10B such that longitudinal members 10A,10B are situated within and contacting engaging surfaces 174, 274. Setscrews 180, 280 are then turned into openings 132, 232 until conical endsurfaces 188, 288 engage longitudinal members 10A, 10B, thereby clampingthe longitudinal members within connector portions 150, 250 of firstmember 100 and second member 200, respectively.

The distance between longitudinal members 10A, 10B may be adjusted orset by loosening clamp 300 sufficiently to provide clearance betweenretaining surfaces 122 of body portion 110 and retaining surfaces 222 ofbody portion 210. When clamp 300 is in a loosened position, longitudinalmembers 10A, 10B may be urged away from one another or pulled toward oneanother into a desired orientation. During this adjustment, guides 226,228 of second member 200 slide along sidewalls 214, 216 of first member100 to maintain alignment between first member 100 and second member 200as described above. Additionally, clamp body 304 shifts withinadjustment opening 244. The range of adjustment is limited by the lengthof adjustment opening 224. Body portion 210 overlaps body portion 110throughout the entire range of adjustment. After the desired orientationis reached, clamp 300 is tightened into opening 124 of body portion 110until retaining surfaces 122 engage retaining surfaces 222 and the firstand second members are locked into position relative to one another.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of the transverse connectoraccording to the present invention. Transverse connector 14? generallyincludes a first member 400, a second member 500, and a clamp 300 forconnecting the first and second members together. First member 400 issimilar to first member 100. Likewise, second member 500 is similar tosecond member 200, discussed above. To simplify this description, thereference designations of features of first member 100 which are similarto features of first member 400 have been retained, except that thefirst digit of the reference designation has been changed from a 1 to a4. Similarly, the first digit of like components and features of secondmember 200 and second member 500 has been changed from a 2 to a 5. Onlythe differences between transverse connector 14 and transverse connector14? will be described in detail below.

First member 400 includes a connector portion 450 instead of the hookand screw configuration of first member 100. Connector portion 450includes an angled segment 451 extending from body portion 410 whichincludes sidewalls for 453, 455 which extend from sidewalls 414, 416,respectively. Angled segment 451 also includes an upper surface 457 andlower surface 458 which extend from flat section 421 and bottom wall418, respectively. As best shown in FIG. 7, angled segment 451 extendsupwardly away from bottom wall 418.

Connector portion 450 also includes a connector ring 461 which extendsfrom angled segment 451 and lies in a plane substantially parallel to aplane including bottom wall 418, as best shown in FIG. 7. Connector ring461 includes a substantially circular outer side surface 463, a circularinner side surface 465, a bottom surface 467, a top surface 469, and acircular chamfered surface 471 extending between circular inner surface465 and top surface 469. Connector ring 461 of connector portion 450defines a central opening 473 for receiving a pedicle screw and clamp ina manner commonly known in the art.

Connector portion 550 of second member 500 similarly includes aconnector ring 561. Connector ring 561 includes a substantially circularouter side surface 563 which extends between sidewalls 514, 516 ofsecond member body portion 510. Connector ring 561 also includes acircular inner side surface 565, a bottom surface 567 extending fromflat section 521, a top surface 569 extending from top wall 520, andcircular chamfered surface 571 extending between inner side surface 565and top surface 569. Connector ring 561 defines a circular opening 573for receiving a pedicle screw clamped in a manner commonly known in theart.

As best seen in FIG. 7, connector ring 561 is substantially planar withbody portion 510 of second member 500. When transverse connector 14? isassembled in the manner described above, connector ring 461 of firstmember 400 is substantially planar with connector ring 561 of secondmember 500. First member 400 and second member 500 may be adjustedrelative to one another along axis B by loosening claim 300 in themanner described above.

As should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, first member100 of transverse connector 14 may be substituted for first member 400of transverse member 14′. Similarly, second member 200 of transverseconnector 14 may be substituted second member 500 of transverseconnector 14?. As such, a transverse connector according to the presentinvention may extend between longitudinal members, spinal hooks, and/orpedicle screw and clamp assemblies, or any combination thereof.

While this application has been described as having exemplaryembodiments, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses,or adaptations using its general principles. Further, this applicationis intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as comewithin the known or customary practice within the art to which itpertains. The spirit and scope of the invention are to be limited onlyby the terms of the appended claims.

For example, FIGS. 8-10 show yet another alternative embodiment whichincorporates the features of the present invention therein. Inparticular, a transverse member 600 includes a first member 602 whichconnects to longitudinal member 10A, and a second member 604 whichconnects to longitudinal member 10B in a manner similar to thathereinbefore described with respect to the connection of the firstmember 100 and the second member 200, respectively, to longitudinalmembers 10A, 10B of FIGS. 1-5. In fact, the first member 602 issubstantially identical to the first member 100 of FIGS. 1-5. As aresult, the reference numerals used to identify components of the firstmember 100 are also relevant to identify components of the first member602. However, since such components have been described hereinabove withrespect to FIGS. 1-5, the first member 602 will not be further describedin detail. Moreover, the second member 604 is somewhat similar to thesecond member 200 of FIGS. 1-5. As a result, some of the referencenumerals used to identify components of the second member 200 are alsorelevant to identify components of the second member 604. Since suchcomponents have been described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 1-5,only the new features and components of the second member 604 will befurther described in detail.

The new features of the second member 604 in comparison to the secondmember 200 (see FIGS. 1-5) are shown in FIGS. 8-10. In particular, thesecond member 604 includes a stabilizer assembly 606 which is located atan end of the second member 604 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Thestabilizer assembly 606 includes two downwardly extending members 608and a transverse member 610 which are all connected to each other in acontinuous and integral fashion as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The twodownwardly extending members 608 and the transverse member 610collectively form a passage 612 through which the first member 602 maybe advanced.

During use, the first member 602 is advanced a distance through passage612 so that a portion of the retaining surfaces 122 of the first member602 axially align with a portion of the retaining surfaces 222 of thesecond member 604. Thereafter, the body 304 of the screw of the clamp300 is advanced through adjustment opening 224 and into meshingengagement with the threads 126 of the first member 602 so as to securethe first member 602 to the second member 604. It should be noted thatwhile the first member 602 is secured to the second member 604 in thismanner, the transverse member 610 of the stabilizer assembly 606contacts the bottom wall 118 of the first member 602 so as to preventthe first member 602 from wobbling or otherwise moving relative to thesecond member 604 when force is applied to the transverse member 600.

Also, in order to further prevent the first member 602 from wobbling orotherwise moving relative to the second member 604 when force is appliedto the transverse member 600, it is possible to provide a groove (notshown) in each of the sidewalls 114, 116 of the first member 602, and acooperating tongue or flange (not shown) on an interior side 614 of eachof the downwardly extending members of the stabilizer assembly 606 ofthe second member 604. As a result, when the first member 602 isadvanced a distance through passage 612, the tongues of the secondmember would be respectively positioned within the grooves of the firstmember 602.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate still another embodiment of the transverseconnector according to the present invention. Transverse connector 700is substantially identical to transverse connector 14, and thereforeonly the differences between transverse connector 700 and transverseconnector 14 will be discussed in detail below.

Transverse connector 700 includes a connector portion 702 having anengaging surface 704. Engaging surface 704 includes an arcuate wallsegment 710 and substantially flat wall segments 706 and 708. Arcuatewall segment 710 is integral with each wall segment 706 and 708 suchthat arcuate wall segment 710 is interposed between wall segments 706and 708. It should be appreciated that arcuate wall segment 710 and wallsegments 706 and 708 collectively define engaging surface 704. It shouldfurther be appreciated that arcuate wall segment 710, wall segment 706,and wall segment 708 are spatially orientated relative to one anothersuch that engaging surface 704 defines a substantially V-shaped crosssection with arcuate wall segment 710 being located at the apex 712 ofthe V.

Engaging surface 704 is utilized in a similar manner as described abovefor curved engaging surface 174. In particular, a longitudinal member714 is biased toward engaging surface 704 in the direction indicated byarrow 716 with a set screw (not shown) such that longitudinal member 714is placed in contact with wall segments 706 and 708. However, it shouldbe understood that having engaging surface 704 constructed such thatengaging surface 704 defines a substantially V-shaped cross section isan important aspect of the present invention. Specifically, the V-shapedconfiguration defined by engaging surface 704 allows longitudinalmembers having relatively large or small diameters to be accepted andsecurely held within connector portion 702. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,respectively, longitudinal member 714 has a diameter D₁ and longitudinalmember 716 has a diameter D₂ which is greater than diameter D₁. However,even though longitudinal members 714 and 716 have different diameters(i.e. D₂>D₁) the V-shaped configuration defined by engaging surface 704allows both longitudinal members to be accepted and securely held withinconnector portion 702 when biased in the direction indicated by arrows716 by the set screw. Note that it is preferred that arcuate wallsegment 710 always has a radius that is smaller than the smallestdiameter longitudinal member so as to ensure that the longitudinalmember is securely held within connector portion 702 when biased in thedirection indicated by arrows 716 by the set screw. Based upon the abovediscussion it should be appreciated that engaging surface 704 allowstransverse connector 700 to be easily and conveniently utilized with anyone of a plurality of transverse members having different sizeddiameters.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transverse connector, comprising: a firstmember including a first elongated body portion and a first connectorportion, said first elongated body portion having (i) a first lateralside surface, (ii) a second lateral side surface, and (iii) a lowercontact surface; a second member including a second elongated bodyportion and a second connector portion, said second elongated bodyportion having an upper contact surface and a sidewall; and a clampwhich is movable into (i) a tightened position in which said lowercontact surface is forced into contact with said upper contact surfacethereby locking the first member in relation to said second member, and(ii) a loosened position which permits said lower contact surface to bespaced apart from said upper contact surface whereby said first membermay be adjusted relative to said second member, wherein said firstmember further includes a lateral guide which is integral with saidfirst lateral side surface of said first elongated body portion andspaced apart from said second lateral side surface of said firstelongated body portion, wherein said lateral guide extends verticallybelow said lower contact surface so as to define a guide surface, andwherein said sidewall of said second elongated body portion isjuxtaposed to said guide surface of said lateral guide when said clampis in said tightened position, wherein said first elongated body portionhas a first end attached to said first connector portion and a secondend defining an end surface, and wherein said lateral guide is spacedapart inwardly from said end surface.
 2. A transverse connector,comprising: a first member including a first elongated body portion anda first connector portion, said first elongated body portion having (i)a first lateral side surface, (ii) a second lateral side surface, and(iii) a lower contact surface; a second member including a secondelongated body portion and a second connector portion, said secondelongated body portion having an upper contact surface and a sidewall;and a clamp which is movable into (i) a tightened position in which saidlower contact surface is forced into contact with said upper contactsurface thereby locking the first member in relation to said secondmember, and (ii) a loosened position which permits said lower contactsurface to be spaced apart from said upper contact surface whereby saidfirst member may be adjusted relative to said second member, whereinsaid first member further includes a lateral guide which is integralwith said first lateral side surface of said first elongated bodyportion and spaced apart from said second lateral side surface of saidfirst elongated body portion, wherein said lateral guide extendsvertically below said lower contact surface so as to define a guidesurface, and wherein said sidewall of said second elongated body portionis juxtaposed to said guide surface of said lateral guide when saidclamp is in said tightened position, wherein said second elongated bodyportion further has a first bottom surface, wherein said lateral guidehas a second bottom surface, and wherein said first bottom surface ispositioned vertically below said second bottom surface when said clampis in said tightened position.
 3. The transverse connector of claim 2,wherein: said lower contact surface of said first elongated body portionincludes a first plurality of parallel ridges, and said upper contactsurface of said second elongated body portion includes a secondplurality of parallel ridges configured to mate with said firstplurality of parallel ridges.
 4. The transverse connector of claim 3,wherein: said first plurality of parallel ridges run widthwise inrelation to said first elongate body portion, and said second pluralityof parallel ridges run widthwise in relation to said second elongatebody portion.
 5. The transverse connector of claim 2, wherein: saidlateral guide has a lateral outer surface, and said lateral outersurface possesses a substantially rectangular shape.
 6. The transverseconnector of claim 2, wherein said first elongated body portion has anadjustment slot defined therein which is configured to receive saidclamp.
 7. The transverse connector of claim 2, wherein: said clampincludes a threaded fastener, and said second elongated body portion hasa threaded opening defined therein which is configured to receive saidthreaded fastener.
 8. A transverse connector, comprising: a first memberincluding a first elongated body portion and a first connector portion,said first elongated body portion having (i) a first lateral sidesurface, (ii) a second lateral side surface, and (iii) a lower contactsurface; a second member including a second elongated body portion and asecond connector portion, said second elongated body portion having anupper contact surface and a sidewall; a clamp which is movable into (i)a tightened position in which said lower contact surface is forced intocontact with said upper contact surface thereby locking the first memberin relation to said second member, and (ii) a loosened position whichpermits said lower contact surface to be spaced apart from said uppercontact surface whereby said first member may be adjusted relative tosaid second member, wherein said first member further includes a lateralguide which is integral with said first lateral side surface of saidfirst elongated body portion and spaced apart from said second lateralside surface of said first elongated body portion, wherein said lateralguide extends vertically below said lower contact surface so as todefine a guide surface, wherein said sidewall of said second elongatedbody portion is juxtaposed to said guide surface of said lateral guidewhen said clamp is in said tightened position, wherein said lateralguide further has a first top surface, wherein said first elongated bodyportion further has a second top surface, and wherein said first topsurface and said second top surface are coplanar in relation to eachother.
 9. A transverse connector, comprising: a first member including afirst elongated body portion and a first connector portion, said firstelongated body portion having a lower contact surface; a second memberincluding a second elongated body portion and a second connectorportion, said second elongated body portion having an upper contactsurface and a sidewall; and a clamp which is movable into (i) atightened position in which said lower contact surface is forced intocontact with said upper contact surface, and (ii) a loosened positionwhich permits said lower contact surface to be spaced apart from saidupper contact surface, wherein said first member further includes alateral guide attached to said first elongated body portion, whereinsaid lateral guide extends vertically below said lower contact surfaceso as to define a guide surface, wherein said sidewall of said secondelongated body portion is juxtaposed to said guide surface of saidlateral guide when said clamp is in said tightened position, whereinsaid first elongated body portion has a first end attached to said firstconnector portion and a second end defining an end surface, and whereinsaid lateral guide is spaced apart inwardly from said end surface. 10.The transverse connector of claim 9, wherein: said lower contact surfaceof said first elongated body portion includes a first plurality ofparallel ridges, and said upper contact surface of said second elongatedbody portion includes a second plurality of parallel ridges configuredto mate with said first plurality of parallel ridges.
 11. The transverseconnector of claim 10, wherein: said first plurality of parallel ridgesrun widthwise in relation to said first elongate body portion, and saidsecond plurality of parallel ridges run widthwise in relation to saidsecond elongate body portion.
 12. The transverse connector of claim 9,wherein: said lateral guide has a lateral outer surface, and saidlateral outer surface possesses a substantially rectangular shape. 13.The transverse connector of claim 9, wherein said first elongated bodyportion has an adjustment slot defined therein which is configured toreceive said clamp.
 14. The transverse connector of claim 9, wherein:said clamp includes a threaded fastener, and said second elongated bodyportion has a threaded opening defined therein which is configured toreceive said threaded fastener.
 15. A transverse connector, comprising:a first member including a first elongated body portion and a firstconnector portion, said first elongated body portion having a lowercontact surface; a second member including a second elongated bodyportion and a second connector portion, said second elongated bodyportion having an upper contact surface and a sidewall; and a clampwhich is movable into (i) a tightened position in which said lowercontact surface is forced into contact with said upper contact surface,and (ii) a loosened position which permits said lower contact surface tobe spaced apart from said upper contact surface, wherein said firstmember further includes a lateral guide attached to said first elongatedbody portion, wherein said lateral guide extends vertically below saidlower contact surface so as to define a guide surface, wherein saidsidewall of said second elongated body portion is juxtaposed to saidguide surface of said lateral guide when said clamp is in said tightenedposition, wherein said second elongated body portion further has a firstbottom surface, wherein said lateral guide has a second bottom surface,and wherein said first bottom surface is positioned vertically belowsaid second bottom surface when said clamp is in said tightenedposition.
 16. A transverse connector, comprising: a first memberincluding a first elongated body portion and a first connector portion,said first elongated body portion having a lower contact surface; asecond member including a second elongated body portion and a secondconnector portion, said second elongated body portion having an uppercontact surface and a sidewall; and a clamp which is movable into (i) atightened position in which said lower contact surface is forced intocontact with said upper contact surface, and (ii) a loosened positionwhich permits said lower contact surface to be spaced apart from saidupper contact surface, wherein said first member further includes alateral guide attached to said first elongated body portion, whereinsaid lateral guide extends vertically below said lower contact surfaceso as to define a guide surface, wherein said sidewall of said secondelongated body portion is juxtaposed to said guide surface of saidlateral guide when said clamp is in said tightened position, whereinsaid lateral guide further has a first top surface, wherein said firstelongated body portion further has a second top surface, and whereinsaid first top surface and said second top surface are coplanar inrelation to each other.
 17. A transverse connector, comprising: a firstmember including a first elongated body portion and a first connectorportion, said first elongated body portion having (i) a first lateralside surface, (ii) a second lateral side surface, and (iii) a firstcontact surface; a second member including a second elongated bodyportion and a second connector portion, said second elongated bodyportion having a second contact surface and a sidewall; and a clampwhich is movable into (i) a tightened position in which said firstcontact surface is forced into contact with said second contact surfacethereby locking the first member in relation to said second member, and(ii) a loosened position which permits said first contact surface to bespaced apart from said second contact surface whereby said first membermay be adjusted relative to said second member, wherein said firstmember further includes a lateral guide that (i) is connected to saidfirst lateral side surface of said first elongated body, and (ii)extends outwardly from said first contact surface so as to define aguide surface, wherein said sidewall of said second elongated bodyportion is juxtaposed to said guide surface of said lateral guide whensaid clamp is in said tightened position, wherein said first elongatedbody portion has a first end attached to said first connector portionand a second end defining an end surface, and wherein said lateral guideis spaced apart inwardly from said end surface.